PHUKET: Fresh from a 2-0 victory, Phuket FC comes up against a rival with similar aspirations in a showdown at the Phuket City home ground on Saturday.

Sitting fifth, Phuket faces off against sixth-placed Nakhon Rachasima FC. The clask will probably decide which one has realistic hopes of joining the serious promotion contenders at the top of the Division One ladder.

With victory in their nostrils, a large crowd of fans can be expected to cheer on Phuket at Surakul Stadium in Phuket City from 6pm.

Coach Panipol Kerdyaem has had a rollercoaster ride with Phuket. the midweek victory over Thai premier League side Ratchaburi Mitrphol puts him close to the top of the ride.

''Our confidence is certainly up and we are hopeful of winning this one on Saturday,'' he told Phuketwan today.

''Being at home with our fans on familiar turf always helps, too.''

It's the game that ends the first leg of the season so whatever Phuket FC is capable of achieving in Division One will become apparent in the second-leg race for promotion.



Round 17 Played from 6pm Saturday
Round 16 Rayong United 1-0 Phuket FC
Round 15 Phuket FC 0-0 Ptt Rayong (to be completed)
Round 14 Saraburi FC 1-0 Phuket FC
Round 13 Phuket FC 2-0 Krabi FC
Round 12 Trat FC 3-3 Phuket FC
Round 11 Phuket FC 2-2 Rayong FC
Round 10 Ayutthaya FC 1-1 Phuket FC
Round Nine Phuket FC 1-1 Singh Tarua FC
Round Eight Airforce 2-1 Phuket FC
Round Seven Phuket FC 1-0 Khon Khaen FC
Round Six Nakhom Pathom 0-0 Phuket FC
Round Five Phuket FC 1-0 Ratcha Navy FC
Round Four TTM Lopburi FC 0-1 Phuket FC
Round Three Phuket FC 3-1 Sriracha Suzuki FC
Round Two Phuket FC 2-2 Bangkok FC
Round One BB-CU FC 1-1 Phuket FC